Well the most well known is probably when it gets supercharged by the remains of the Baby at the end of Super Metroid.
Getting a bit ahead of where you are now, in Prime Three Samus gets the Ice Missiles by copying the inborn cryokinetic abilities of another Hunter.
I will answer the gunship question when I get to it.
...AlsoTell Robin that I too immediately thought of Steamed Hams at the words "localized entirely."